Category Archives: Gin

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After much anticipation, the Scottish Gin Award winners were announced at a glitzy ceremony in Glasgow last week and we were delighted and honoured to be presenting one of the main awards of the evening for ‘Scottish Gin of the Year’.

With hosts Des Clarke and Catriona Shearer, over 500 guests gathered to hear the winners announced in 15 categories.

The top award, ‘Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year’, was presented to Arbikie Distilling after their mission to create spirits “from field to bottle” was praised by the judging panel. The Arbroath-based farming family fought off seven other distilleries to win the award and they also collected the bronze medal position in the Cask Gin taste competition for their “Cask Aged Kirsty’s Gin.”

However, it was a new gin from Dundee which was the surprise star of the night. Verdant Dry Gin, which created its first batch in May of this year, fought off competition from 16 other contenders to win the gold medal in the London Dry category and went on to win the judges prize for the best gin in the competition sponsored by Geraldo’s. Owner and Managing Director, Toni, presented the award to a delighted Andrew Mackenzie and his wife Judy pictured below.

Other big winners were Edinburgh Gin who collected five medals and the Glasgow Distillery, makers of Makar Gin, who won two gold medals for Makar Old Tom and Makar Cask Aged Gin, Matured in Oak. Popular and established producers such as Caorunn and Eden Mill also won medals, while some smaller batch new arrivals in the market barged into gold medal positions after scoring very highly. NB Gin’s Navy Strength won gold for their super strength product while El-Gin from Elgin won gold for Distilled Gin of the Year.

Awards were also presented for business performance covering business growth, innovation and marketing with the popular Isle of Harris Distillery winning the highly sought-after Excellence in Branding award.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners. It was the perfect night to celebrate innovation and excellence in gin distilling in Scotland and recognise the hard-work of the people behind their gins. We were thrilled to be part of it! Congratulations also to founder Stephen White of The Scottish Gin Society and KD Media for an excellent evening.

…You’ll find out on Thursday! Geraldo’s is delighted to be sponsoring the Gin of the Year Award at the inaugural Scottish Gin Awards in Glasgow this week. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages to see who is the winner.

This is a new annual event which will celebrate innovation and excellence in gin distilling in Scotland and recognise the hard-work and determination of the people behind their gins. Did you know that 70% of the UK’s gin is made in Scotland? We’ll raise a G&T to that.

At the Scottish Gin Awards, the finalists include 28 gin producers and 51 gin brands shortlisted for a range of categories including Taste, Distillery of the Year and the award that we are sponsoring, Scottish Gin of the Year. We can’t wait to see who wins! The full list of finalists can be found here.

This annual celebration is encouraging everyone this year to change just one thing and support the people who grow, make, cook and sell Scottish Food & Drink. It could be that you want to feel healthier and the one thing you change this fortnight is to eat more fruit and veg.

To make it easier there’s a daily theme to inspire you to consider changing ‘one thing’ for #onethingfortnight

Sat 2nd Sept

Picnic

Sun 10th Sept

Weekend lunch

Sun 3rd Sept

Afternoon tea

Mon 11th Sept

Coffee break

Mon 4th Sept

Office meeting

Tues 12th Sept

Breakfast

Tues 5th Sept

Packed lunch

Wed 13th Sept

Family meal

Wed 6th Sept

TV dinner

Thurs 14th Sept

Street food

Thurs 7th Sept

Sport snack

Fri 15th Sept

BBQ

Fri 8th Sept

Children’s party

Sat 16th Sept

Fine dining

Sat 9th Sept

Drinks party

Sun 17th Sept

Brunch

Try something new and share it on social media using the hasthags #scotfoodfort and #onethingfortnight

We’re a family business supporting other, independent family businesses and all those people who are out there involved in Scottish Food & Drink together, so why not try something new this fortnight and let’s celebrate together?

Like this:

Ten gin distilleries, 25 types of gin, 350 salmon canapes and a marquee full of gin enthusiasts soaking up the regatta atmosphere. I think we can safely say that Regatta GinFest floated everyone’s boat last Saturday.

The sun came out just in time for our ginfest attendees to walk the red carpet and enter the Regatta Marquee on the first day of Largs Regatta Week. This Regatta is one of Scotland’s premier sailing events which has been running for 29 years and includes yacht, dinghy and skiff racing over 10 days. The event is held at Largs Yacht Haven which has been awarded the very prestigious UK Coastal Marina of the Year 2017; the perfect venue for a GinFest!

While the yachts were competing on the water, the land-based gin fans enjoyed sampling and learning about a wide range of gins from ten distilleries across the country, many of which are finalists at this year’s Scottish Gin Awards. And for those who fancied a wee nibble, Loch Fyne Oysters were showcasing their Makar Gin-infused smoked salmon. All 350 delicious canapes went down a storm!

If you missed out this time, don’t worry as we still have tickets left for Geraldo’s Gin Fest on 24th November in The Brisbane House Hotel in Largs. They are selling quick so best book soon!

We also have an exciting calendar of in-store tasting events over the coming months. Keep an eye on our Facebook Events page for details. Pop into Geraldo’s of Largs this Saturday from 12.30 – 3pm to try the deliciously smooth Arran Gold Cream Liqueur. There’s even some Arran Gold Truffles, courtesy of the Arran Chcolate Factory to go with it but you’ll have to be quick as these are limited.

Join us and 10 artisan gin producers at Regatta GinFest for a Saturday afternoon of gin tasting. What better way to spend the August bank holiday weekend?

Largs Regatta Week is one of Scotland’s premier sailing events and includes yacht, keelboat, dinghy and skiff racing over 10 days. The event is held at Largs Yacht Haven, which has just been awarded the very prestigious UK Coastal Marina of the Year 2017. This is your chance to soak up the Regatta atmosphere, meet the artisan gin producers and taste their wonderful gins.

When?

Saturday 26th August. 2-6pm

Where?

Regatta Marquee, Largs Yacht Haven

How?

The gin producers will be coming from across the country with award-winning gins, old favourites and brand new gins on the market. SIX of the distilleries coming are finalists in this year’s inaugural Scottish Gin Awards. This is your chance to meet them and find out what makes them stand out from the crowd.

In-store Tastings

Can’t make Regatta GinFest? Then come along to one of our in-store tasting sessions.

This Saturday you can try a range of delicious fruit liqueurs. Made in East Lothian by husband and wife team Robin & Derry Ford, there are 5 amazing flavours to choose from: Raspberry Vodka, Rhubarb Rum, Brammle Whisky, Gooseberry & Ginger Gin and Damson Gin. What’s not to love? There’s a liqueur here for everyone! Pop in on Saturday 19th August from 12.30-3pm and try them for yourself.

Follow us on Facebook or sign-up to our newsletter for details of all upcoming tasting events and future masterclasses.

Looking for something special for your Dad? From a vast choice of whisky and gin, to sweet treats of luxurious handmade chocolates, gift-wrapped confectionery or some of our beautifully embossed tinned biscuits, we’ve got the perfect gift for him in Geraldo’s of Largs.

Whisky loving Dad

Nothing beats a warming whisky to wind down in the evening. We have a lovely selection from many independent distilleries across all of the regions. Our newly qualified in-store whisky connoisseurs are also at hand to give you advice and help you find the ideal dram for your Dad.

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Gintastic Dad

Perhaps your Dad prefers a gin. With a choice of over 40 artisan gins in store, you’re bound to find one that would tempt his tastebuds. Pair it with a refreshing Fever-Tree Tonic and you’re all set to go.

You could also give him the opportunity to sample many different gins at one of our gin fests in Largs. We’re sure he would be delighted to receive a ticket for either Regatta Gin Fest in August or Geraldo’s Gin Fest in November. A real treat to look forward to!

Sweet tooth Dad

Luxurious handmade chocolates and gift-wrapped confectionery are always a winner for a sweet-toothed Dad. We have a wonderful range of chocolate liqueurs, high quality turkish delight, embossed tins of shortbread and wonderfully moist and delicious whisky cakes.

We hope this helps you find his perfect gift and wish all the Dads out there a wonderful Father’s Day this Sunday.

Happy World Gin Day gin lovers!! We are hugely excited to announce that we have not one, but TWO gin fests for you to enjoy this year. Now that is something to raise a G&T to. Here are the details…..

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REGATTA GINFEST

Saturday 26th August 2017, 2-6pm

As part of Largs Regatta Week (one of Scotland’s premier sailing events), we are hosting Regatta GinFest in the Regatta Marquee on the grounds of Largs Yacht Haven, which has been awarded the very prestigious UK Coastal Marina of the Year 2017.

Soak up the regatta atmosphere with 10 artisan gin producers, learn all about how their gins are made, where they come from, meet the people behind the distillery and best of all, taste their gin.

The gin producers will be coming from across the country (and beyond) with old favourites and brand new gins on the market. This is your chance to try them all!

Limited tickets are available, so please get yours soon to avoid disappointment.

GERALDO’S GINFEST

Friday 24th November 2017, 6-10pm

Spend the evening with us and 16 artisan gin producers in the fabulous Brisbane House Hotel on the seafront of Largs. Select your tea cup on arrival and enjoy sampling ‘Mother’s Ruin’ at your leisure.

We have a wonderful line-up of gin producers eager to tell you all about how their gins are made, where they come from and the botanicals that make them all unique. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to find out who will be exhibiting this year.

Not only will there be over 40 craft gins to sample, but there will also be luxury handmade chocolates to try too!